Apparatus and methods for dispensing materials from a mixer



y 1968 R. w. MILER 3,333,015

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS FROM A MIXER Filed Dec.5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RICHARD W. MILER BY Leazman, [ea-man. Ev aMcC'u-llaclz'.

A TTORNE Y3 y 1968 R. w. MILER 3,383,015

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS FROM A MIXER Filed Dec.5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet f2 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

RICHARD W. MILER lie-man, .Z'za'uman 5 dnc'ullacli A TTORNEYS May14,1968 R. w. MILER 3,333,015

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS FROM A MIXER Filed Dec.5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 1-!!! Q as INVENTOR.

RCHARD W. MILER BY Amman, fi unan. 5' dmac ullodfi A TTORNE YS ay 14, 168 R. w. MILER 3,383,015

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS FROM A MIXER Filed Dec.5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR. 1 RICHARD w. MILER I BY 1W, lm'unan5- dMaCulloefi A TTORNE Y5 y 1968 R. w. MlLER 3,383,015

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING MATERIALS FROM A MIXER Filed Dec.5, 1966 $heets-Sheet 5 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

RICHARD W. MILER .fsa'zman, .[mnmm 5' dWcLu (14:5

A T TORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,383,.935 APPARATUS AND METHQDS FURDISPENSHNG MATERIALS FROM A MHXER Richard W. Miier, Saginaw, Mich,assignor to Baker Perkins Erie, Saginaw, Mich, a corporation of New YorkContinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 503,664, Oct. 23, 1965.This application Dec. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 599,015

21 Claims. (Cl. 2221) ABSTRACT OF THE DiStTLOSURE Methods and apparatusfor mixing or extruding synthetic plastic materials wherein part of thematerial stream advanced axially in a fluid state is divide-d oil andlater is introduced to a chamber portion in which the stream isintroduced from an opposite direction so that the divided off portionand stream are joined again at a radial discharge port and issuetherefrom in a steady stream.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.503,664, filed Oct. 23, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to the continuous mixing or extruding of plasticmaterials and the like to form a homogeneously blended mass and moreparticularly the invention pertains to apparatus and methods fordispensing the materials at a substantially uniform rate.

Apparatus and methods according to one embodiment of the invention areparticularly adapted for use in the mixing and blending of plastic andsimilar substances which are blended to a predetermined homogeneity anddischarged from a mixer in pulses at the proper temperature andpressure. A mixer of the kind with which the one embodiment of theinstant invention is adapted for use is disclosed in United StatesPatent No. 3,023,455, granted Mar. 6, 1962, and to which reference maybe had for a more detailed disclosure of the mixer apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide methods and means for receivingmaterial from a mixer or extruder and dispensing such material at asubstantially uniform, continuous rate.

A further object of the invention is to provide dispensing apparatus ofthe character described wherein the dispensed material may be maintainedat a temperature which is substantially that of the material in themixer or extruder.

Another object of the invention is to provide mixing apparatus of thekind referred to and in which the dispensing means may be driven by thesame means which drives the mixing or extruding apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide mixing apparatus such ashas been described and wherein the mixing and kneading of the materialis continued during the dispensing thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide dispensing apparatus forvarious mixing and extruding machines and having heat exchangecapabilities for controlling the temperature of the dispensed material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of dispensingapparatus as described which is so constructed as to facilitatecleansing of the parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the append-ed claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through dispensing apparatusconstructed in accordance with one "ice embodiment of the invention andillustrating its association with a mixer;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the tlischargeopening of the dispensing apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating a modified formof the invention; and

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGURE 3 but illustrating stillfurther embodiments of the invention.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is adapted for use in conjunction with a mixingmachine of the kind disclosed in the aforementioned patent and whichincludes a barrel 1 having a longitudinally extending mixing chamber 2terminating at one end in a discharge opening 3. Within the chamber 2 isa mixing and forwarding screw 4 which is rotated by means of an electricmotor (not shown), and reciprocated by a earn assembly (not shown) as ismore fully explained in the aforementioned patent. The screw 4 hasinterrupted helical blades 5 thereon which cooperate with lugs 5aprovided on the chamber wall and mix and knead materials in the chamber2 while advancing the materials through the mixing chamber to thedischarge end 3 whence the blended material is discharged in pulses inaccordance with the reciprocation of the screw 4.

Dispensing apparatus formed according to the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is designated generally by the referencecharacter 7 and comprl cs an elongated housing or receptacle 8 which islongitudinally bored as at 9 to form a chamber having an inlet end 10fixed to the barrel 1 in register with the discharge opening 3 of themixer. The housing 8 preferably is surrounded by a jacket 11 throughwhich a heat exchange medium may be circulated and both the housing 8and the jacket 11 are provided with openings adjacent opposite endsthereof providing vents 12 and 13 through which volatile substances mayescape.

A dispensing member generally designated 14 is accommodated in thechamber 9 for dispensing material introduced to the latter. Thedispensing member comprises an elongated, rod-like screw member 15 whichis longitudinally bored as at 16 and 17. At one end the member 15terminates in a plug-like part 1.8 which extends at least partially intothe chamber 2 of the mixer 1 so as to abut the adjacent end of themixing screw 4. Means is provided for rotating and reciprocating thedispensing member 15 in response to rotation and reciprocation of themixer screw 4 and comprises a coupling member l9 having a shank 20 whichis welded orotherwise suitably fixed to the screw 4 and a threadedextension 21 which is accommodated in the correspondingly threaded endof the bore 16 of the part 18.

The external diameter of the part 18 is somewhat less than the internaldiameter of the bores 2 and 9 so as to provide an annular space 22around the part 18. At a point axially spaced from the part 18, themember 15 is provided with a shoulder 23 having a sliding fit with thebore 9. From the shoulder 23 and extending axially of the member 15 is ahelical vane or flight 24 which terminates at a zone substantiallymidway between the vent openings 12 and 13. Formed on the member 15 andextending from the opposite end thereof is a second helical vane orflight 25 which also terminates at a zone substantially midway betweenthe vent openings 12 and 13. The diameters of the flights 24 and 25correspond to each other and have a sliding fit with the bore 9. Theflights, with the shoulder 23, mount the member 15 concentrically withinthe housing 8 for movements relative thereto and provide an annularchamber 26 between the member 15 and the housing 8. The pitch or hand ofthe flights 24 and 25, however, is opposite, the pitch of the flightsbeing such that, upon rotation of the member 15, material to the rightof the zone of termination of the flight 2 will be propelled toward thezone, and material to the left of the zone of termination of the flightwill be propelled toward the zone.

In communication with the annular chamber 26 and located at the zone oftermination of the flights 2.4 and 25 is an outlet opening 28 (seeFIGURE 2) formed in the housing 8. Fixed to the housing 8 andsurrounding th outlet 28 is a block 29 having a passage 36 therein incommunication with the outlet 28. Fixed to the block 29 is a mountingflange 31 to which may be secured by screws 32 or the like a die ring3-3. The plate 31 has an opening 34- therein which merges with thepassage 34) in the blocx 29, and the die ring 33 has an opening 35 inregister with the opening 3 Secured by screws 36 or the like to the diering 33 are die plates 37 and 58 having expressing orifices or ports 39and 4% respectively, therein.

As has been stated earlier, the dispensing member 15 i longitudinallybored at 16 and 17. Positioned within the member 15 is a sleeve 41having a bore therethrough forming a passage 42. At one end of thesleeve is a radially reduced extension 4-3 which extends into the bore16, the extension being of such size as to provide an annular passage 24between itself and the surface of the bore 16. Between the extension 43and the main body of the member 41 is a shoulder 45 which abuts the seatformed by the juncture of the bores 16 and 17. At the opposite end ofthe sleeve 41 is an externally threaded nut did that is threaded intothe correspondingly threaded bore 15a at the end of the member 15 andbears against a flange 42a to mantain the sleeve 41 fixed relative tothe member is. The left hand end of the member 41 terminates in anextension 46 that is internally threaded as at 46a to accommodate athreaded shaft 47 which terminates at its inner end in a blunt-nosedvalve or plug member 48 which is axially adjustable relatively to themember ll.

Adjacent the valve 48 the member 41 is provided with radial ports 49which communicate with correspondingly located ports 50 formed in themember 15 so as to provide communication between the passage 42 and thechamber 26. Adjacent the extension 43, the member 15 also is providingwith radial ports 51 Which provide communication between the bore 16 andthe chamber 26. Communication between the bore 16 and the annular space22 at the inlet end of the housing is provided by generally radiallyextending ports 52 in the member 15.

In the operation of the apparatu thus far described, materials containedin the mixing chamber 2 are blended and kneaded by the continuouslyrotating and reciprocating mixer screw 4 and the material is dischargedfrom the discharge end 3 of the chamber 2 into the inlet 1d of thedispensing apparatus 7. Material intro duced to the inlet 10 will passpartly through the ports 52 into the bore 16 and partly around shoulder23 into chamber As further material is introduced to the dispensingapparatus, the previously introduced material will move axially to theleft. Part of this material will be diverted to the annular space 4-4,whereas the remainder of the material will enter the passage 32.

Material introduced to the space 44 will pass through the ports 51 intothe chamber 26 so as to be driven to the left by the flights 24 inresponse to clockwise rotation of the member 15. Material introduced tothe passage 42 will be deflected by the valve 43 through the ports 4 and5% into the chamber 26, but at the left-hand end of the dispensingapparatus 7. Such material will be advanced to the right by the flights25 upon clockwise rotation of the member 15.

The material in the chamber 26 will be advanced toward the zone of theoutlet 28 from opposite ends of the housing 8 and will be dischargedthrough the opening 28 to the passages 35%, 34 and 35, whence it will beexpressed through the die orifices 39 and it? so as to be cut intopellets, if desired, by rotating knives (not shown).

An important characteristic of the invention is that, regardless of thedirection of reciprocation of the advancing member 15, material to bedispensed will be advanced toward the Zone of the discharge opening 28upon each stroke of the mixer member 4. Moreover, material will beadvanced toward that zone by the continuously rotating flights 24 and25. Consequently the discharge of material from the dispenser '7 iscontinuous rather than pulsating.

The valve 45 may be adjusted by manipulation of the screw 47 externallywhen the apparatus is stopped. Should the valve 43 be shifted, the flowof material through the passages 49 and 5t will be aflected and thiscontrol permits the operator to balance the flow hrough ports 9-5t9 and51 in the desired manner. Also, rotation of member 41 from a position inwhich the ports 49 and 5% are fully open to a position in which they arepartly closed creates a back pressure which permits the operator tocontrol the rate or" discharge of material from the mixer. Thus, controlof the viscosity and temperature of materials discharged from the mixercan be maintained by adjusting member 41.

The apparatus disclosed in FIGURE 3 is similar to that previouslydescribed and corresponding reference characters identify correspondingparts. The principal difl'erence between the two embodiments lies in theinerior construction of the screw member 15 and the apparatusaccommodated therein.

In the embodiment shown in FEGURE 3, the screw 15 has an axiallyextending bore 16:: of uniform diameter and in which is accommodatedwith a sliding fit a stationary screw member 55. At one end of the screw55 is an enlargement 56 slideably accommodated in the bore ion andterminating in a threaded portion 5'7 which is threaded into acorrespondingly threaded opening formed in a plate 58 that is secured tothe end wall of the housing 88 by suitable means such as bolts 59. Ahead 60 is secured to the threaded portion 57 to facilitate axialadjustment of the screw 55 and the latter may be maintained in aselected position of adjustment by a jam nut 61.

The screw 55 includes an elongated reduced diameter shank portion 62that is joined to the enlarged portion 56 and on which is a helicalthread or flight 6.3 of constant pitch and hand. The periphery of theflight 63, together with the periphery of the shank portion 62, forms inthe bore 16a a helical passage 64 extending substantially the fulllength of the bore 16a. The free end of the shank portion 62 terminatesin a blunt nose 65 adjacent the passages 52.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 3, the screw 15 isreciprocated in the manner hereinbefore described so as to enablematerial from the mixer to be introduced to the bore 16a via thepassages 10 and 52. Material introduced to the bore 16a is admitted tothe helical passage 64 and, as the screw 15 rotates and reciprocatesrelatively to the fixed screw 55, the material in the passage 64 isfurther mixed and kneaded.

As material in the passage 64 advances toward the left, as viewed inFIGURE 3, some of the material will be diverted to the chamber 26 viathe ports 51 and subsequently discharged through the outlet opening 28.The remainder of the material in the passage 64 will be delivered to thechamber 26 via the ports 50 whence it will be delivered to the outletopening 28.

By axial adjustment of the screw 55, the amount of material introducedto the chamber 26 via the ports St) may be varied and a back pressurecreated so as to control the mixing and dispensing apparatus comprisinga stationary barrel member 70 terminating at one end in an inlet hopper71 by means of which materials to be kneaded and dispensed may beintroduced to the interior of the barrel. Axially spaced lugs 72,similar to the lugs 5a, project inwardly from the inner surface of thebarrel 70.

Rotatably and reciprocably mounted in the barrel 70 is a screw member 73having a helical vane 74 adapted to feed material from the hopper 71 tothe interior of the barrel 70. The vane 74 is interrupted at intervalsaxially of the screw member 73 to avoid interference with the lugs 72.An annular space or chamber 75 exists between the screw member 73 andthe barrel 70 in which the material in the latter is kneaded, mixed andblended during rotation and reciprocation of the screw member 73.

The barrel 70 terminates adjacent its lower end in a housing 76 having asmooth, axially extending bore 77 providing a chamber 78 in prolongationof the space 75. Rotatably and reciprocably accommodated in the bore 77is a dispensing member 79 comprising a screw shaft 80 which is joined atits upper end to the screw member 73 and which is connected at its lowerend to rotating and reciprocating mechanism located in a housing 81 andcorresponding to the driving mechanism disclosed in the aforementionedpatent. At the juncture of the screw members 73 and 80, the screw member73 has an enlarged flange 73a which is in sliding engagement with theinner surface of the barrel 70.

The housing 76 has an enlargement 82 extending to one side thereof andin which is a bypass 83 that communicates at its opposite ends with thespace 75 and with the lower end of the chamber 78, respectively. Aradial port 84 communicates between the passage 83 and the chamber 78adjacent the upper end of the latter. A conventional valve 83a isprovided upstream of port 84 and a second conventional valve 83b isprovided at port 84. A valve 830 is operable in the same manner as thevalve 48 in FIGURE 1 to achieve the control desired. On the oppositeside of the housing 76, there are upper and lower vent passages 85 and86, respectively, and substantially midway between the vent passages isa discharge opening 87 which is surrounded by a housing 88 in which areexpressing orifices 89.

Carried by the screw member 80 is a helical vane 90 which extends fromthe upper end of the member 80 to a point adjacent the discharge opening87. Also carried by the member 80 is a helical vane 91 which is oppositein hand to the hand of the vane 90 and which extends from adjacent thedischarge opening 87 to the lower end of the housing 76. The vanes 90and 91 are similar to the vanes 24 and 25, respectively.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 4, material introducedto the funnel 71 is advanced longitudinally of the barrel 70 and ismixed and kneaded in response to rotation and reciprocation of the screwmember 73. At the upper end of the housing 76, the material isintroduced to the passage 83. A portion of the material is diverted fromthe passage 83 through the port 84 into the chamber 78 adjacent theupper end of the latter, and the remainder of the material in thepassage 83 is introduced to the chamber '78 adjacent the lower endthereof. As the screw member 80 reciprocates and rotates, the vane 90will feed material from the chamber 78 to the discharge opening 7 andthe vane 91 will feed material from the chamber 78 to the dischargeopening 87 so as to effect a uniform discharge of the material throughthe orifices 89. The thrusts on shaft 73 tend to be balanced by theconstruction described. Valve 83a controls back pressure in the mixersection and valve 83b controls the material flow through port 84 toscrew section 90. Valve 830 controls the flow to the lower end of screwshaft 73.

The apparatus shown in FIGURE 5 also is a vertical extruding anddispensing apparatus and comprises a tubular barrel 92 having at itsupper end an outwardly flared wall 93 to which is secured in anysuitable manner an end plate or cover 94, The bore of the housing 92 issmooth and the housing is provided with upper and lower vent openings 95and 95, respectively, for the emission of volatiles, substantiallymidway between which is a discharge opening 97 surrounded by a housing98 provided with expressing orifices 99.

Rotatably mounted in the housing 92 is a tubular barrel member 100terminating at its upper end in a funnellike hopper 101 which isaccommodated within the flared wall 93. The lower end of the barrel 100extends through the bottom wall 102 of the housing 92 and is secured toa driven member such as a gear 103 which may be driven by a pinion 104fixed to the shaft 105 of a motor (not shown) or other prime mover.

The diameter of the barrel 100 is less than that of the inner surface ofthe housing 92 so as to provide an annular chamber 106 therebetween.Secured to the outer surface of the barrel 100 is a helical vane 107which extends in the chamber 106 from adjacent the upper end of thebarrel to a point adjacent the discharge opening 7. A similar vane 108also is secured to the barrel 100 and extends from adjacent the lowerend of the latter to a point adjacent the discharge opening 97. Thepitch of the vane 107 corresponds substantially to the pitch of the vane108, but the hand of the two vanes is opposite.

Fixed in the cover plate 94 and extending into the barrel 100 is a screwshaft 109. Between the shaft 109 and the inner surface of the barrel 100is an annular chamber 110. Secured to the shaft 109 in the chamber 110is a helical vane 111. Communication between the chambers 106 and 1.10is provided adjacent the upper end of the barrel by ports 112 in thebarrel, and ports 113 adjacent the lower end of the barrel also providecommunication between the chambers 106 and 110.

The lower end of the barrel 100 is interiorly threaded to accommodate acorrespondingly threaded shaft 114 terminating at its inner end in ablunt plug member 115 which closely but slideably fits within the barrel100. Rotation of the shaft 114 effects movement of the member 115 so asto adjust the effective size of the ports 113.

Mounted in the cover wall 94 is an inlet tube 116 by means of whichmaterials to be mixed and dispensed may be introduced to the hopper 101.A vent pipe 117 also may be mounted in the cover 94 and, if desired,inlet and outlet tubes 118 and 119 may extend externally of the cover 94so as to provide for the circulation of a heat exchange medium throughpassages formed in the shaft 109.

In the operation of the apparatus, the barrel 100 is rotated, but themembers 92 and 109 remain stationary. Material introduced to the hopper101 is acted on by the vane 111 due to the relative rotation of themembers 100 and 109 so as to move the material downwardly in the chamber110. A portion of the material, such as one half, will be diverted fromthe chamber 110 into the chamber 106 via the ports 112, whereas theremainder of the material in the chamber 110 will be delivered to thechamber 106 via the ports 113. As the barrel 100 rotates, the vanes 107and 108 will feed material in the chamber 106 in opposite directionstoward the discharge opening 96 whence it will be discharged through thehousing 98 and the orifices 99.

The apparatus disclosed in FIGURE 6 is similar in many respects to thatdisclosed in United States Patent No. 3,198,491 and includes a tubularhousing or barrel within which are mounted rotatable, spiral screws 121and 122 and two series of radially engaging mixing and kneading paddles123 and 124. In communication with the interior of the housing 120 is aninlet opening 125 by means of which material to be mixed and kneaded maybe admitted to the housing. The screw 121 and the downstream paddles 123are mounted on a shaft 126 which is driven by a gear 127, and the screw122 and the downstream paddles 124 are mounted on a shaft 128 driven bya gear 129. The direction of rotation of the respective screws andpaddles is such as to feed material from the inlet opening 125 towardthe opposite end of the housing 120.

At the outlet end of the housing 120 is secured a housing 130 in whichthere are two axial, annular passages 131 and 132 separated from oneanother by an annular partition 133. The end of the partition 133 whichis adjacent the discharge end of the housing 120 terminates short of thecorresponding end of the housing 13% so as to provide an inlet chamber134 in which material discharged from the housing 121 may be received.The end of the partition 133 adjacent the chamber 134 is tapered as at135 so as to deflect material from the chamber 134 into each of thepassages 131 and 132. The opposite end of the partition 133 terminatesshort of the corresponding end of the housing 130 so as to provide acommunicating passage 136 between the passages 131 and 132.

Rotatably mounted in the passage 131 is a shaft 137 which is joined tothe shaft 126 for rotation thereby and on which is secured a helicalvane 138. Rotatably mount ed in the passage 132 is a similar shaft 139which is fixed at one end to the shaft 128 for rotation thereby andwhich may be journaled at its opposite end in an end wall 149 secured tothe housing 139. Secured to the shaft 139 is a pair of vanes 141 and142. The vane 141 extends from the chamber 134- to a point adjacent adischarge opening 143 formed in the housing 130 between the ends of thelatter, and the vane 142 extends from adjacent the passage 136 to apoint adjacent the discharge opening 143. The pitch of the vanes 141 and142 preferably is the same, but of opposite hand. The discharge opening143 is surrounded by a housing 144 in which is provided a plurality oforifices 145.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 6, material in thehousing 129 is mixed, kneaded and discharged to the chamber 134 whenceit is diverted to the two passages 131 and 132. Material diverted to thepassage 131 from the chamber 134 is advanced to the passage 136 whenceit is directed to the passage 132 and is conveyed to the dischargeopening 143 by the vane 142. Material introduced to the passage 132directly from the chamber 134 is conveyed to the discharge opening 143by the vane 1 51. As in the other embodiments, divided off portions ofthe material are advanced to the discharge opening 143 from opposingdirections and a steady and continuous discharge through ports 145 isassured. Also, as with the other embodiments, the machine has a greateroutput than could be achieved with a conventional mixer having anadvancing screw of comparable length, eliminates the need for expensiveoutboard bearing and sealing means at the outlet end, and has a greaterventing capacity.

The disclosure is representative of presently preferred methods andapparatus, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive ofthe invention. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. 'Extruding apparatus comprising: means forming a chamber adapted toreceive and dispense material and having an inlet and a radial outletlocated at a spaced distance therefrom; pressurizing means introducing astream of said material through said inlet; material advancing shaftmeans in said chamber for advancing material in a first flow from saidinlet toward said outlet; said outlet including a plurality of extrudingports; and means provided between the inlet and outlet for dividing offa portion of material on its way toward said outlet and moving it tosaid outlet in a second flow opposed to said first flow for dischargetherewith out said outlet.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for moving aportion of said :material in a second flow opposed to said first flowcomprises opposite hand flight means on a portion of said shaft means onthe opposite side of said outlet from said inlet.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein rotating mixer shaft meansis connected with said shaft means.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said advancing shaft meanscomprises at least a pair of shafts with radially engaging paddlesthereon; and said dividing off means comprises an axially disposedpartition between said shafts downstream of said paddles and dividingthe chamber for a portion of its length into separate portions.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4- wherein said shafts have extensionportions projecting into said separate chamber portions and said outletis radially offset from the side of one of said chamber portions; one ofsaid shaft extension portions having flights on one side of the outletpitched to move material to the outlet from a downstream portion of saidone chamber portion and also having flights of opposite hand on anotherside of said outlet; said other shaft extension portion having flightsthereon moving the material through said other chamber portion to saidflights of opposite hand.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft means includes afirst section having material advancing flights of one hand moving thematerial toward the outlet in a first section of said chamber means, anda second section with flights of opposite hand thereon in a secondsection of said chamber means on the opposite side of said outlet fromsaid first section; and said dividing off means comprises a bypassextending outside said chamber to connect said first section of thechamber means with said second section thereof.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein valve means is provided insaid bypass to selectively restrict or increase the flow of materialtherethrough.

8. Apparatus for extruding flowable plastic and like materialscomprising: relatively movable shaft and shaft housing means includingadvancing elements for advancing a stream of material under pressure insaid housing means; chamber means adjacent thereto having a side outletbetween its ends; means upstream of said side outlet for dividing off aflow portion of said stream and introducing it to one end of saidchamber means while at least another portion of said stream is advancedto the other end of said chamber means so that said flow portion andstream portion are rejoined at said outlet and issue in a steady streamtherefrom; and means for controlling the temperature of said material tomaintain it in an extrudable state.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shaft has flight meansthereon and is revolved and reciprocated.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein adjustable means isprovided in the path of the material divided off for selectivelyincreasing or restricting the passage thereof.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein volatile vent means areprovided in said chamber means for both said first and second flows ofmaterial.

12. Material handling apparatus comprising: means forming a chamberadapted to receive and dispense material and having an inlet and anoutlet located at a spaced distance therefrom; material advancing shaftmeans in said chamber for advancing material in a first flow from saidinlet toward said outlet; means provided in said chamber for dividingoff a portion of material on its way toward said outlet and moving it tosaid outlet in a second fiow opposed to said first flow for dischargetherewith out said outlet; said shaft means being tubular to define aninner chamber and a shaft with advancing flights being provided therein;flight means of opposite hand :being provided on the exterior of saidtubular shaft means on opposite sides of said outlet in said chambermeans; passage means connecting said chamber means with said innerchamber upstream from said outlet; and passage means connecting theinner chamber with said chamber means on the opposite side of saidoutlet.

13. A method of dispensing materials advanced by a mixing or extrusionshaft comprising: advancing the material in a fluid state stream underpressure; dividing said material and introducing separated portions ofit to opposite ends of a chamber having an outlet between its ends; andfeeding said portions simultaneously in opposite directions toward saidoutlet.

14. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein all of the materialsdischarged are delivered to one end of said chamber and wherein suchmaterials are divided near said one end.

15. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein said materials are fed fromsaid opposite ends of said chamher by the application of combined linearand rotary forces.

16. The method set forth in claim 13 including effecting heat exchangeof said materials as they are introduced to said chamber.

17. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein the amount of materialdelivered to at least one end of the chamber may be varied.

18. A method of processing fluid state plastic and like materialscomprising: mixing said fluid state material while advancing it in anaxially pulsating stream; dividing ofi a porton of said stream;introducing said stream and divided off portion to opposing portions ofa chamber portion having a radial outlet between its ends downstreamfrom said dividing off point; and maintaining advancing pressuresdirecting said divided off portion and stream together from oppositeaxial directions at said out- 10 let to cause said material to bedischarged radially from said outlet in a steady stream.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the flow of the divided oif portionis selectively restricted to create the desired back pressure condition.

20. A method of processing fluid state synthetic plastic materialcomprising: maintaining a pressure advancing said fluid state materialin a generally axial stream; dividing off a flow from said stream;introducing said stream to a chamber portion having a side dischargeorifice downstream from said dividing location; maintaining a pressureadvancing the stream in a direction toward the orifice; and introducingsaid flow to said chamber portion on the opposite side of said orificeand maintaining an advancing pressure in the opposite direction forcingsaid stream and flow together and discharging said rejoined stream andflow out said orifice in a steady stream.

21. The :method of claim 20 in which both said stream and flow areseparately mixed in said chamber portion on their way to said dischargeorifice.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 187,153 2/1877 Lyman 103921,128,043 2/1915 Quigley 2224l3 2,067,583 1/1937 Stark 222-404 X2,628,002 2/ 1953 Peterson 222-412 2,658,604 11/1953 Erd menger et al222.-88 2,704,516 3/1955 Mock et a1 10388 2,920,347 1/1960 Joukainen etal. 103-458 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

